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Defense Drumbeats

Moments ago, Republicans members of the House Committee on Armed Services praised the bipartisan budget agreement as a win for our men and women in uniform, explaining the vote is critical to rebuilding and repairing our military. The deal also frees the military, which was being held hostage to other domestic spending and policy disputes.

To advance the security of our nation, these troops are putting themselves in harm’s way, in effect signing a blank check payable to the American people with their lives. They do so despite Congress’ abrogation of its Constitutional responsibility to provide stable funding. Our military has been operating under debilitating continuing resolutions for more than 1,000 days during the past decade. These men and women hold the line for America while lacking this most fundamental Congressional support, a predictable budget

The United States’ nuclear deterrent has been the cornerstone of our national defense and of international stability since World War II. Today, operating, sustaining, and recapitalizing our nuclear deterrent accounts for only about 4 percent of our overall defense budget, yet its value to America’s security is incalculable.

Today, Chairman Thornberry (R-TX) led a conversation with Secretary of Defense Mattis and Secretary of State Tillerson at the GOP retreat. After the conversation, he spoke with members of the media about the consequences of stopgap funding for our military. Some of his comments are below, watch the entire clip here.

In early December of 2017, world technology leaders assembled in Wuzhen, China, for the 4th Annual World Internet Conference. It was a widely attended event and included the chief executive officers of Apple and Google. The theme of the conference was “developing a digital economy of openness and shared benefits.”

Providing for the common defense is more than just a promise to our citizens and military. It is the foremost responsibility of the federal government, established in the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution.